Speaker reconing? DIY? Pro job?

[thecajunboy]

Last week I accidentally managed to get my Mesa 1X15 Powerhouse to move past its excursion limit, and it looks like it suffered a maligned voice coil. Looks like a replacement driver from Mesa is $300. Best guesstimates for a local shop recone job is about $150, and a recone kit is somewhere around $80. There's also some well regarded replacement drivers from other vendors that fall into the $225-$300 range. I'm confident I can DIY with good results. I'm stuck on the fence though, trying to make a decision. Any advice, comments, suggestions for the proper criteria to help a flush with cash cajun make the best decision?

[gtone]

$150 for a recone sounds steep. I've had three speakers reconed locally, never paid more than $75-80 for any of 'em and that included cones, voice coils, alignment and testing.

[Thundernotes]

I think if you've got a bit of mechanical skill and attention to detail, it can be done yourself with good results.

A couple years back, I was the US service manager for RCF and received training on re-coning at the factory in Italy. I don't have a ton of experience on it, but I did it successfully a couple of times. I have a bunch of pictures detailing the process, and could help you out over the phone or Skype to aid in your decision. Glad to help out - lemme know.

[thecajunboy]

Great comments so far. This place is great.

Problems in my situation are that the Mesa speaker has not been easily nailed down as an EV product, thus making it possibly difficult to get a proper recone kit. I haven't talked to the folks at Mesa yet to see if they offer a kit, but I really doubt they do. And then there's the personal issues. On the one hand I'd like to get this fixed as economically as possible, and on the other, I'd like to use this as a good excuse to upgrade the driver in the cab.

[Thundernotes]

If EV makes the speaker (very likely) the design is probably proprietary and can only be purchased through Mesa or an authorized service center.

[Lockbody]

I think those are Eminence based on what I've read. They also seem to have terrible reliability. Lot's of negative reviews about that speaker.

You could get a 400w EVM 15B or DLx for yer 200 bux that would probably last you forever.

[Jimbilly]

You should be able to find a suitable new replacement Eminence for less than $150. You can choose one based on cabinet volume, and you can even email customer service.

[thecajunboy]

Yeah, I read what I could find on the Mesa reliability and wasn't too impressed. Looks like I'm leaning toward a new driver. I started reviewing some of the options with WinISD. Looks like that should help with selection.

[GusS]

thundernotes - would you be into becoming the resident speaker reconer for your hfc bros/sisters?

[Jakeboy]

Great idea Gus! We would pay well....at least $3.50 a speaker (Jk)

Seriously though, it would be so cool to have an HFC reconer...

[backinit]

I would go with a new driver. Even WGS carries a 15".

[Thundernotes]

thundernotes - would you be into becoming the resident speaker reconer for your hfc bros/sisters?

maybe someday, but for now I have no shop space any more and even all my amp repair gear is in storage.